Deuteronomy 28:1 – “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”
Discover the path to God’s abundant blessings through faithful obedience.
Promise of God’s Blessing
God desires to bless His people. His good plan extends beyond the temporal, offering lasting and eternal blessings.
When we faithfully obey Him, He elevates us above all nations. This isn’t a conditional favor—it’s rooted in His grace and covenant. When we disobey; we can expect the blessing to be taken away!
Understanding God’s Commands
God’s commands aren’t oppressive rules; they’re expressions of His love and wisdom. They guide, protect, and shape us.
They encompass not only actions but also attitudes, motives, and inward transformation. Obedience isn’t about perfection; it’s about faithfulness.
The Challenge of Obedience
Obedience requires trust, humility, and perseverance.
It’s essential, reflecting our faith and love. Through obedience, we honor God, find joy, and fulfill our purpose. It’s the key to living under His blessing.
The Reward of God’s Blessing
God’s blessing transcends material wealth. It’s about spiritual abundance—peace, righteousness, wisdom, and courage.
His presence and favor accompany us.
We don’t earn it; we receive, celebrate, and share it. Let’s proclaim His glory and embrace His kingdom. Are you walking in obedience to God’s Word today?
2 Corinthians 7:10 – “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Here we encounter a profound truth: godly sorrow leads to repentance, which in turn brings salvation and leaves no room for regret. Conversely, worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death.
Importance of Repentance
Godly Sorrow: When we experience godly sorrow—deep remorse for our sins—we are prompted to turn to God. We acknowledge our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and embrace His mercy. Repentance becomes our pathway to salvation.
Fearless Confession: We need not fear asking for forgiveness. Instead, we should boldly admit our wrongs, knowing that God’s grace awaits us. Repentance is a powerful force that bridges the gap between our brokenness and God’s restoration.
Dangers of Worldly Sorrow
Spiritual Death: Worldly sorrow, however, takes a perilous turn. When we feel remorse but fail to turn to God, we risk spiritual death. Despair settles in, and our souls languish. It’s crucial to recognize this danger and seek divine intervention.
Embracing God’s Love: Rather than allowing sorrow to consume us, we must turn to God. His love is our lifeline. We ask for help, knowing that His grace can transform our sorrow into hope.
“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
Challenge of Sin
Sin profoundly impacts everyone. It represents rebellion against God’s will, the violation of His holy law, and the corruption of His good creation.
Sin severs our connection with God’s love, exposing us to His wrath and judgment. It also damages our relationships with others and ourselves, leading to misery and death. Ultimately, sin lies at the root of all evil and suffering in the world.
Our own efforts and merits cannot free us from sin. We cannot flawlessly adhere to God’s law, nor can we erase our past transgressions.
Our sinful nature remains unchanged, and the power of sin overwhelms us. In our helpless state, we deserve God’s condemnation and punishment.
Precious Gift of Grace
Yet, in His boundless love and mercy, God provides an escape from sin and its consequences. He bestows upon us the gift of grace—an undeserved favor and kindness.
Grace is not something we earn; it is freely and generously given by God. It serves as the wellspring of our salvation, sanctification, forgiveness, transformation, peace, and joy.
The pinnacle of God’s grace is found in Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior. Jesus entered our world as a human, lived a sinless life, and willingly died on the cross for our sins.
His resurrection conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life and reconciliation with God. Through Jesus, we can receive the Holy Spirit and His life-transforming Word, guiding and empowering us.
His unconditional love intercedes for us.
Response of Faith
How can we access this abundant grace?
How do we experience it?
The answer lies in faith. Faith involves trusting God’s promises, surrendering to His will, and obeying His commands. It justifies and sanctifies us, declaring us righteous and holy through God’s grace.
Faith is not a self-generated work; it is a divine gift. We humbly receive it, recognizing that boasting has no place.
Faith is our lifeline to God and His grace—a channel through which His abundant blessings flow into our lives.
Fruit of Joy
What happens when we embrace God’s grace through faith? Joy blossoms. This deep and lasting delight transcends circumstances, rooted in God’s goodness.
Joy evidences the work of the Holy Spirit, the reward of faith, and the ultimate goal of salvation. It fuels our service and witness, comforts us during trials, and directs praise and glory to our God and Savior.
Joy isn’t a mere feeling we manufacture; it’s a reality we discover. We don’t chase after it; we possess it. Joy overflows from God’s grace within us, radiating outward to bless others.
Remember this kids song . . . it’s not just for kids!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Where? Down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Down in my heart to stay
Chorus
And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart Down in my heart. And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10, NIV)
Calling of God
God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives.
He calls us to be his children, to walk in his ways, and to participate in his redemptive work in the world.
This calling is not based on our merit or achievements, but solely on his grace and love.
Assurance of Election
Along with this calling comes the assurance of our election – the knowledge that we have been chosen by God to be his own.
This election is not a matter of favoritism or partiality, but a reflection of God’s sovereign will and his desire to redeem a people for himself.
Responsibility of Confirmation
While our calling and election are gifts from God, we have a responsibility to confirm them through our actions and our lives.
The apostle Peter urges us to “make every effort” to affirm our faith and walk in a manner that reflects our identity as God’s chosen ones.
Promise of Stability
When we take this responsibility seriously and confirm our calling and election through our words and deeds, we are promised a life of stability and steadfastness.
The path of obedience and faithfulness will lead us away from stumbling and falling into sin, and will enable us to stand firm in our faith.
“For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV)
Importance of Timing
In life, timing is everything. Whether it’s catching a flight, meeting a deadline, or taking advantage of an opportunity, the right timing can make all the difference.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. God’s timing is perfect, and he invites us to embrace it.
Time of God’s Favor
The apostle Paul reminds us that there is a specific time when God’s favor is poured out. It’s not a constant or indefinite period, but a specific moment when God’s grace and salvation are available in abundance.
This “time of favor” is a window of opportunity that we must recognize and seize.
Urgency of the Present
Paul’s message is clear: now is the time of God’s favor.
The day of salvation is upon us, and we must respond with a sense of urgency. Too often, we postpone or delay our response to God’s call, thinking that there will always be more time.
But the truth is, we don’t know how long this window of opportunity will remain open.
Embracing the Present
Rather than postponing or delaying, we must embrace the present moment and respond to God’s invitation of grace and salvation.
This means putting aside our excuses, our hesitations, and our distractions, and focusing our hearts and minds on the One who loves us and desires our eternal well-being.
